The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
An afternoon spent in a canyon looking for different canyon light.
Specific Feedback
I’m mostly curious if the composition and processing work. I shot it in 1x1 aspect ratio.
There’s a bush in the upper left that I worked to minimize, removing all the branches was a bit too much so I just tried to work on burning it down, but wondering about any other distractions.
Thank you!
Technical Details
Z8+24-120, f8 and be there.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Beautiful work, Julie. Elegant work. I like it’s simplicity. The long bright flowing curve with those starkly illuminated plants. I don’t sense any fear in this image. In that sense I have a different take on this than your title implies. I see this as a place of awakening, not one of dread.
Love this! Great vision and kudos for recognizing the potential here.
Much like Igor, I don’t see a fear of darkness; I see hope. If anything the classic persevearance, determination etc. Now, if there were a hiker peering over the edge in to darkness, that would be another story.
I think you have a wonderful balance of light and dark here. There is plenty of detail in the rocky cliffs, yet dark enough that the sunlit vegegation stand out beautifully. Oh, fantastic job dealing with the bush/tree in the UL. It’s hardly even noticable - only until you mentioned it. So kudos on dealing with that.
I’m not sure if this is important or not, but simply an observation. I actually like the fact that the diagnoal line of light does NOT continue out the bottom/right of the frame. I like that the little ridge of light stops, and is surrounded by the darkness (giving more creedence and understanding to your title, actually.)
I have no nits or any suggestions. I’m loving your vision here. Congrats!
Unusual and delightful! (Also no negative vibes here.) This is probably what most people would have framed in landscape format but the 1x1 gives a subtle nod to the immensity of the canyon surrounding this little tableaux. Excellent subduing of the bush on the left.
I’m wondering about burning down the highlight on the top of the shelf as it exits the frame on the left, to mirror the light falloff on the right. I think it might give an interesting floating in space look to the highlighted area and make it a little less literal.
Hi Julie, This image is quite stunning. I love personalities of the row of spiky plants on the edge here, of both the rock and of the light. I think your handling of the brush in the upper left is really effective giving just a hint of glow out of the shadow. And the walls of the canyon add a delightful majestic backdrop. Really well seen and processed.
This is quite striking. The composition and processing are spot in IMO. I love how the ridge line drops off into darkness on the right. Before opening the larger view I was going to suggest making the shadows go completely black because the tiny bit of detail was a little distracting. But my opinion changed instantly when viewing it large. It looks great the way you processed it Beautiful work.
Wonderful use of dark to accentuate that small strip of light. I love that there is just enough shadow detail to keep interest, and I do think your choice of format accentuates the lovely light contrast.
I’d have to see it to confirm, but I definitely like the sound of that idea.
@Diane_Miller, I did wonder about doing that, because of exactly the reason you stated, but then decided that I just liked the look of that edge. But I like this idea and I will try it!!
As for the title..hahaha. OK so I hate writing titles for images, but what I usually end up doing is, while I’m working on an image, a song will get stuck in my head about the photo. So for this one I kept singing, “Living on the Edge” but I HATE Aerosmith. So I went to “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” but while I have mad respect for Bruce Springsteen, I’m not a huge fan, so I didn’t go with that. Then “Darkness” took me to “Beware of Darkness” which is a George Harrison song, covered by Concrete Blonde.
In other words, I definitely don’t have to keep that title.
The composition is spot on. I like the idea of shooting in the 1x1 mode rather than crop in post. It’s all about the light, you nailed it. Maybe the diagonal line with the light could be moved closer to the top, just to balance the image. Only an observation. Great work.
I love the stark contrast and simple subject. Fantastic light, too. My only suggestion would be to clone out or crop the intruding limbs that are just catching light in the ULH corner. They’re not super distracting, but my eye does tend to wander up there. Nicely seen!
Another wonderful scene to share with us, Julie. I don’t have a lot to add but I wanted to let you know how beautiful I think the light is in this scene. I also really love the fall off of light in the LRC. Magical.
It’s already been mentioned and although you did a terrific job reducing the highlights on the bush in the ULC my eye still catches that light. It’s a very, very minor nit but I think it can be cloned out or cropped out. There is also a dark area in the ULR just above that bush and a crop eliminates that too. These are such small nits that they are barely worth mentioning but I thought I’d have a go at a very simple crop while keeping the image square. Exquisite light and a wonderful image, Julie!
@Han_Schutten , @David_Haynes, @Bret_Edge, @Mozzam_Hosein
Thank you so much for your comments, much appreciated! I’m so glad this little scene resonated with you all.
David, thanks for the crop example. I will take a look at that.
All the best
Julie
